Summary:
Some alternative treatments proved to be effective or possibly effective in ADHD, but mostly in
certain subgroups of restricted etiology. The efficiency of oligoantigenic or restricted diet was
convincing in multicentric double-blind studies, but only is strictly selected subgroups. Glyconutritional
supplements, chromium and magnesium supplementation, the use of Chinese herbs, EEG
biofeedback, mirror feedback and vestibular stimulation provided promising prospective data.
Laser acupuncture offered promising, but not yet published pilot data. The supplementation of
essential fatty acids offered stimulating results only in systemic case reports, but the studies are
not unequivocal. Efficiency was not proved in three controlled studies oriented on the effect of
vitamin megadoses and the risk of such treatment is pointed out. A simple restriction of sugar
and hypnosis are apparently without effect. The treatment with thyroidal preparations is effective
only in such cases, if thyroidal abnormities are established, but not in other cases. Although
most alternative treatments may not necessarily be more dangerous than the standard treatment,
the main risk lays in the delay of efficient therapy, if alternative procedures prove to be ineffective.
Key words:
ADHD, hyperkinetic disorder, alternative treatment, scientific value, children.
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